KWAZULU-NATAL is abuzz with the news that award winning gospel singer Deborah Fraser is dating Soul Brothers lead singer David Masondo, both divorcees with a history of unhappy marriages.

GLOWING: Deborah Fraser says she can't keep telling people she is single. Picture by Vathiswa Ruselo

'JUST FRIENDS': Soul Brothers lead vocalist David Masondo denies that he and Deborah are in a relationship. Picture by Tshepo Kekana

A person close to the couple says the two are inseparable and are considering tying the knot.

Another source says their relationship is actually not new as they dated more than 20 years ago, before Masondo married Nomsa Wendy, with whom he is now divorced after being together for 19 years.

Fraser was married to Nigeria pastor Socky Okeke of Macy Chapel but their marriage ended spectacularly, with Fraser alleging that the man of cloth was subjecting her to Satanic abuse.

"Every time Deborah mentions Masondo's name she becomes so excited," says the source.

The two did a song together on Fraser's album Ngikuxolele.

Our source says they have also collaborated on Fraser's upcoming, album, to be released in April.

Masondo and Fraser deny they are romantically linked.

But speaking on Gospel Classic on SABC2 last Sunday, Fraser almost let the cat out of the bag.

Asked by the presenter if she was single, Deborah just smiled and avoided the question.

Later, though, she gave a hint when she said: "Don't be surprised if I get married again."

Asked by Sunday World about her comment on TV, she says: "I can't go around on TV telling people that I'm single."

It is understood Fraser and Masondo have been spending quality time together, though Fraser refuses to discuss the relationship, saying she is concentrating on her trip to Nigeria.

"I am sick and tired of bad publicity and I don't have time for this.

"I've been invited by pastor TB Joshua to grace his church. Why can't you write about that because it a positive story?" she asks.

Masondo says it isn't the first time people have asked him about his relationship with Fraser.

"If there was something going on between us, I would just be bold and say it. It is all lies.

"What makes us close to each other is that we work together, nothing more.

"I don't have a wife at the moment but that doesn't mean I'm in a relationship with Deborah. We are just good friends," he says.

Last year Masondo, the lead singer of Soul Brothers, celebrated three decades of his involvement in the music industry together with the other surviving member of the outfit, Moses Ngwenya.

His stormy marriage to Nomsa once saw him appearing in court, accused of assaulting and pointing a firearm at her.

Nomsa obtained a court interdict, barring him from making contact with her.

Masondo had accused Nomsa of infidelity. In his testimony in court, he said he once went to the Jabulani police station to have an agreement drawn up prohibiting Nomsa from continuing with her affairs.

The document also prevented Nomsa from using his cars with her boyfriends.